Carton cover closing machine

ABSTRACT

A machine for closing the cover members of egg cartons of the hinged tray type wherein open cartons are fed to the machine with the cover members hinged to the top edge of the egg receiving tray member on an axis tranverse of the direction of advance of the carton and with the cover members leading the tray members, and wherein a conveyor is provided for advancing successive cartons through the machine with associated mechanism for clamping the tray member of each carton on the conveyor while hinging a locking lug bearing panel on the trailing edge of the tray into position where the forward side wall of the cover member which has locking apertures therein, will overlie the panel when the cover member is moved toward closed position by operation of swinging members and forced down into fully closed position by a weighted set of overhead roller members. A date stamping device is provided and the cover closing members may be readily positioned to permit a clear passageway for filler flats which do not require the cover closing operations.

O United States Patent 1 1 1111 3,884,015

Melton May 20, 1975 I CARTON COVER CLOSING MACHINE tons of the hingedtray type wherein open cartons are [75] Inventor: Kenneth Melton,Tecumseh, fed to the machine with the cover members hinged to Kilns thetop edge of the egg rece1v1ng tray member on an axis tranverse of thedirection of advance of the carl Assignccl Seymour Foods, 6-, P Klmfltonand with the cover members leading the tray [22] Filed: Den 28, 1973members, and wherein a conveyor is provided for advancing successivecartons through the machine with PP'- 429,080 associated mechanism forclamping the tray member of each carton on the conveyor while hinging alock- 52 us. c1 53 131; 53/376 i Waring Pane the l edge of the 511 1111.c1 B65b 61/02; B65b 7/26 the W 1581 Field of Search 53/131. 376 377member wh'ch has lockmg apertures them",

overlie the panel when the cover member is moved toward closed positionby operation of swinging mem- [56] fi i cued Q bers and forced down intofully closed position by a UNlTED STAIES PATENTS weighted set ofoverhead roller members. A date 2,842,920 7/1958 (.Lllkhtlfl tll. ill Xtamping device is provided and the cover closing 1699744 10/1972 953/13] members may be readily positioned to permit a clear 3.722.,l7fi3/1973 Hfll'dljk 53/376 p g y for filler flats do not require thePrimary I:'.\'aminer--'l'ravis S. McGehee Attorney, Agent, or FirmGuy A.Greenawalt [57] ABSTRACT A machine for closing the cover members of eggcarooooooooooo cover closing operations.

21 Claims, 10 Drawing Figures PATENTEDHAQOIQYS 3,884,015

SHEET t UP 4 FL g 6 '1 CARTON COVER CLOSING MACHINE This invention hasto do with egg packaging and is particularly concerned with improvementsin an appa ratus for closing and latching or locking the lids or covermembers on egg cartons of the type having a cellular tray in which theeggs are supported and an inverted tray-like hinged cover member havingapertures in the side opposite the hinge for co-operation with latch orlock formations which are hinged to the corresponding side of thecellular tray.

In the handling of shell eggs for retail marketing one conventionalconsumer package is in the form of a cellular bottom tray in which theeggs are supported and along one side of which an inverted tray-likecover member is hinged, which cover member has spaced locking orlatching apertures in the side opposite the hinge for co-operation withlocking or latching lug formations which are hinged to the top edge ofthe corresponding side of the bottom tray and adapted to be swunginwardly so as to underlie the apertured cover side wall. This type eggpackaging container has long been fabricated of molded pulp and hasreplaced to a large extent the partitioned paperboard carton which wasinitially developed for this purpose. More recently, there has beenintroduced with considerable success, cartons which are molded of foamplastic and which are of substantially less weight. The foam plasticcartons are generally considered to be more attractive in appearance andprovide other advantages over the molded paper or pulp cartons for thispurpose. In some degree the development of filler flats, which areemployed in the larger containers used for bulk packaging of shell eggs,has followed the same pattern. Initially, paperboard filler and flatarrangements were employed and these have been replaced generally bymolded pulp filler-flats and filler-flat combinations, some of which arenow being manufactured from foam plastic. The handling of the retailcarton packages by machinery is highly desirable in order to obtainvolume production but the production of satisfactory machines for thispurpose has presented designers with some difficult problems. A numberof designs suggested have not been entirely successful for a number ofreasons. One machine which has been used successfully in commericalpackaging of retail egg cartons is shown in US. Pat. No. 3,699,744,granted to Charles H. Willsey, on Oct. 24, 1972. When required to handlecartons which are formed of the plastic materials, it has been foundthat some packaging machines of this general type do not perform withthe desired efficiency since the cartons have surfaces which do notslide readily when in contact with metal members along which they aremoved in machines of this type. Also, machinery has been developed whichis designed to be operated to pack eggs in either retail cartons or infiller flats. The filler flats have a greater number of rows of eggpockets than the retail cartons and they do not require any coverclosing operations. One such packing machine is shown in an applicationfor Egg Handling Apparatus, Ser. No. 355,310, filed by Charles H.Willsey, now US. Pat. No. 3,820,301 on Apr. 30, 1973. The carton closingmechanisms heretofore developed, generally, have not been adapted topermit the passage therethrough of filler flats which have been filledby a packaging machine having such capability, and, consequently, theyhave not been satisfactory for use with machines of this type. Anothertype of egg carton closing machine which has been used commerciallyprovides for moving the filled cartons in the direction of their lengthwith plow arrangements for hinging the cover members and latch carryingpanels into closing and latching position. This type carton closingmechanism is not satisfactory for use with certain packing arrangements,particularly, machines where the filled cartons are advanced from thepacking machine in a direction normal to the hinge axis of the covermember since changing the direction of travel of the open cartons isobjected to by packers. It is a general object, therefore, of thepresent invention to provide a novel carton handling machine which may Ibe operated with a high degree of efficiency in closing hinged covers oncartons of the type commonly employed for retail marketing of eggs orsimilar products.

A more specific object of the invention is to provide a carton closingmachine which is particularly adapted for closing and locking the hingedcovers on cartons of the type for retail marketing of shell eggs andsimilar products when the cartons are advanced in a packaging line, inopen position, from a packer or other handling equipment.

A still more specific object of the invention is to provide a machinefor closing and latching the hinged cover members or lids on egg cartonsor the like which are advanced to the closing machine in open conditionwith the cover members leading the product accommodating tray portion ofthe carton and adapted to be hinged to closed position on an axisextending transverse of the path of advance.

Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus for closinghingedly mounted cover members on packaging cartons, such as pocketedegg cartons, or the like, which apparatus is adapted to advancesuccessive cartons, with the hinged cover leading the product receivingtray portion of the carton, through a cover closing and lockingmechanism which is operative to swing the cover member on a transverseaxis to a closed position while hinging a locking lug panel on thetrailing edge of the product tray into a position inwardly of the trayedge so as to engage the locking lugs thereon in co-operating lockingapertures in the side wall of the cover member, when the cover member ishinged to fully closed position with the apertured side wall overlyingthe locking lug panel.

Still another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus forclosing and latching the hinged cover members on tray-like cartons ofthe type which are commonly employed for packing shell eggs for retailmarketing wherein the cartons are advanced with the hinged cover membersin open position and leading the product receiving tray members, andeach cover member is swung on an axis extending transversely of the pathof advance to a partially closed position where the side wall of thecover member, which is remote from the hinged connection with theproduct receiving tray member, overlies a locking lug panel which ishinged to the wall of the product receiving tray remote from said hingedconnection thereby aligning locking apertures in the cover side wallwith locking lugs on the locking lug panel so as to cause the lockinglugs to be engaged in the locking apertures when the cover member issubsequently pressed down into fully closed position.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a machine forhandling product containers, such as, shell egg cartons and fillerflats, wherein the machine includes conveyor mechanism for advancingfilled cartons past means for closing the cover members of cartons asthey are delivered from a packing machine or other supply source whichcover closing mechanism may be, with only very slight adjustment,rendered inoperative so as to permit unobstructed passage of fillerflats through the machine.

These and other objects and advantages of the inven tion will beapparent from a consideration of the carton handling machine which isshown by way of illustration in the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of a carton cover closing machinewhich incorporates therein the principles of the invention, the machinebeing shown installed at the discharge end of an egg packing machinewith which it is adapted to be used;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the machine shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view taken on the line 33 of FIG. 2,to an enlarged scale;

FIG. 4 is an elevation view of the opposite side of the machine; V

FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view taken on the line 5-5 of FIG. 2, to anenlarged scale;

FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view taken on the line 66 of FIG. 2, to anenlarged scale;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary plan view with portions broken away;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary elevational view showing the carton advanced toa position where the cover is only partially closed;

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the line 9--9 of FIG. 2,to an enlarged scale; and

FIG. I0 is a fragmentary perspective view illustrating a modified formof pressure roller assembly.

In the form of the invention which is illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 4 of thedrawings, the carton closing machine 10 is attached to the discharge endof a carton egg packaging machine 12 and a take-away or dischargeconveyor arrangement 14 is provided at the discharge end of the cartonclosing machine 10. The form of the machine 10 which is disclosed isparticularly adapted for use with an egg packing machine which isadapted to pack shell eggs into either a carton with a hinged. lid or afiller flat, such as, for example, the packer which is shown incopending application Ser. No. 355,310. The closer 10 may, however, beused with other egg handling and packing equipment with provision fordelivering the egg filled containers to the entrance end of the machinein the condition illustrated in FIG. 3 of the drawings.

The carton closing machine 10 is adapted to close the cover C of anoncoming carton A which includes a cellular or pocketed bottom traymember T in which the eggs E have been deposited. The carton A isarranged as it is advanced into the machine 10 with the cover C leadingthe tray T and hinged at the top edge of the leading wall of the trayfor swinging movement to a closed position on an axis extendingtransversely of the path of advance of the carton and with a narrowlocking or latching panel L hinged to the top edge of the trailing wallof the tray member T.

The cover closing machine 10 comprises a supporting frame 16 (FIGS. I to6) having laterally spaced, vertically disposed, parallel side platemembers 17 and 17', which, in the form shown, extend in alignment withside plate members 18 and 18' of the frame 20 of the packer 12 to whichthe present apparatus is attached. The cartons are advanced into andthrough the machine 10 by a carton supporting and conveying mechanismwhich includes a pair of laterally spaced traveling belts 22 and 22' anda pair of traveling chains 23 and 23', also spaced laterally anddisposed between the belts 22 and 22'. Belts 22 and 22 are supported onpairs of end pulleys 24, 24 and 25, 25'. The pulleys 24, 24' at one endconstitute idler pulleys which are rotatably mounted in axially spacedrelation on the cross shaft 26 which extends between the side platemembers 18 and 18' of the packer main frame 20. The cross shaft 26 is adriven shaft supporting the delivery end of the pusher lug chain 27which constitutes the carton advancing means of the packer. The beltcarrying pulleys 25, 25' are driven as hereinafter described. In thepacker machine illustrated the chain 27 is indexed in the propersequence to advance the successive cartons for receiving successive rowsof eggs by the packer fill ing mechanism. The packer is not furtherdescribed since it does not appear to be necessary for an understandingof the present invention. A full description will be found in Ser. No.355,310. The cartons are discharged onto the belts 22 and 22' whichadvance the cartons into the closing machine 10. The belts 22 and 22are, of course, operated in synchronism with the chain 27. The top runsof the belts 22 and 22' are disposed in the same general horizontalplane as the top flanges 28 and 28 (FIGS. 5 and 6) on the side frameplates 17 and 17'. Tension in the belts 22 and 22' is adjusted by meansof adjustably mounted idler rollers 30 and 30' on which the return runsof the belts ride.

The chains 23 and 23 are supported at the entrance ends on end sprockets33, 33 which are mounted on a cross shaft 34 and at the opposite orleading ends on end sprockets 35, 35' which are mounted on the parallelcross shaft 36. Cross shafts 34 and 36 are journaled in the side frameplates 17 and 17'. The chains 23 and 23 carry a plurality oflongitudinally spaced carton supporting platforms 40, each of which isconnected to the chains for ready removal by a bracket assembly 42. Theplatform 40 has a flange 43 on the leading edge thereof against whichthe leading side S of the carton bottom or egg receiving tray T isadapted to be positioned. The chains 23 and 23 are advanced insynchronism with the drive of the packer conveyor chain 27. The crossshaft 34 is extended at one end and carries a sprocket 44 which isconnected by a chain 45 with the sprocket 46 on the end of the driveshaft 26.

Each of the platform assemblies 40 has associated with it a latchingmechanism 48 (FIGS. 2, 5 and 9) for manipulating the locking or latchingpanel L on the carton which mechanism 48 is supported on the chains 23and 23' by means of transversely spaced angle brackets 50 and 50. Eachsuch mechanism 48 is spaced a predetermined distance relative to theassociated platform 40 which leads the same. Each mechanism 48 comprisesan elongate angle member 52 mounted between the chains 23 and 23' withone leg 53 thereof forming a base which is attached to chain links bythe angle brackets 50 and 50'. The other leg 54 of the angle member 52extends at right angles and upwardly thereof, in the position shown inFIG. 9, and carries a plurality of bearing forming bushing 55 supportinga cross rod 56 on which there is mounted in radial extending and axiallyspaced relation a plurality of tab or finger members 57. The cross rod56 has secured thereto a small bracket plate 58 which is apertured at 60to receive one end 62 of a link member 63. The other end 64 ofthe linkmember 63 seats in an aperture 65 in a vertically extending pivot plate66. The pivot plate 66 is mounted on a pin 67 which is rotatable in abearing bracket 68. The base portion of angle member 52 and theupstanding plate portion 54 are slotted at 70 and 72 to accommodatesufficient pivotal movement of the pivot plate 66 to swing the panelengaging fingers 57. On the bottom edge of the pivot plate 66 there is acam shoe 73 which is positioned below the base plate member 53 where itwill engage a longitudinally extending cam bar 74 when the assembly 48is advanced along the upper run of the chains 23 and 23.

Only a relatively slight swinging movement of the pivot plate 66 isrequired to swing the tabs or fingers 57 against the locking panel L andmove the same into position over the tray T for clearing the front wallof the cover member when the latter is turned towards the closedposition. The assembly 48 is spaced relative to the carton supportingplate member 43 so as to move up into engagement with the front wall ofthe bottom tray T when the assembly 48 moves around the sprockets 33,33' at the entrance end of the conveyor.

The carton tray T is held on the platform 40 while the locking flaps aremanipulated by the mechanism 48 by means of hold down assemblies 75 and75. Each of the hold down assemblies 75 and 75' comprises a carton endengaging pad member 76, 76' (FIG. 5) of inverted, generally V-shapedcross section with one leg adapted for edge engagement with the edgeflange of the bottom or tray portion T at that end of the carton. Theother leg 77, 77' of each hold down is secured to and extends radiallyof the axis of a support bar or rod 78, 78'. The support rods 78 and 78are mounted in longitudinally extending relation in pairs of bearingbrackets 80, 80' (FIG. 4) on vertically extending plates 81, 81upstanding from the top flanges 28, 28' of the side plates 17, 17. Thepivot bars 78, 78 carry radially extending operating arms 82, 82' whichare pivotally connected at 83, 83' to the upper ends of pitmen 84, 84'.The pitmen 84, 84' have their lower ends pivotally connected 85, 85 tothe free ends of arm members 86, 86 which extend radially from a crossrod 87, with the latter being journaled in suitable bearings in the mainside frame plates 17 and 17. The cross rod 87 carries at one end arm 88(FIG. 1) which is connected at 90 to one end of a link bar 92, theopposite end of which is pivoted at 93 to the top end of an upwardlyextending arm 94 having its lower end pivoted at 95 on the side plate17. The shaft 34 supporting the chains 23 and 23' at one end is extendedand carries an arm 96 on which there is a cam roller 97 bearing againstthe upstanding arm 94 so that rotation of the shaft 34 will swing thearm 94 and engage the pads 76 and 76' with a carton tray T. The arm 94is urged in the direction of the shaft 34 by a tension spring 98 and alimit stop 99 is provided to limit the movement of the pads 76 and 76 inthe direction which disengages the carton. Thus movement of the holddown pads 76 and 76' is controlled by the travel of chains 23 and 23 andsynchronized properly with the movement of the cartons.

A cover engaging or lift up finger or rod 100 (FIGS. 3, 5 and 7) ismounted for swinging movement on a fixed cross bar member 102 whichextends between frame plates 17, 17' adjacent the cross shaft 34. Asshown in FIG. 7, the rod or lift up finger 100 extends radially of theaxis of a support rod 103 which in journaled in the offset housingformed by parallel spaced plate members 104 and 104' extending inparallel relation and normal to the axis of the supporting cross barmember 102. The pivot rod 103 for the lift finger 100 is journaled inthe plate members 104 and 104 and is centered by a compression spring105. The pivot rod 103 is extended at one end as shown in FIG. 7 andnormally is swung to an upwardly inclined position in the path of acover member C as a carton is advanced to the clamping or holdingposition shown in FIG. 3. The pivot rod 103 carries on the extended enda cam member 106 which acts as a counterbalance to swing the lift upfinger 100 to the operative position and which is normally positioned inthe path of a radially extending cam member 107 on the cross shaft 34 sothat rotation of the shaft 34 to advance the carton to the positionshown in FIG. 3 will engage the cam members 106 and 107 and hold thefinger 100 in the path of the carton as it advances toward the positionshown in FIG. 3 where the cam members 106 and 107 are disengaged and thefinger may be swung down by engagement of the forward edge of the cartonsupport plate. The rod 103 for supporting the finger 100 may be slid inthe bearings in the supporting plates 104 and 104 to the position shownin FIG. 7 by compressing the spring and a radially extending latchinglug 108 on the feee end of the rod 103 may be turned into a holding slot109 in the cross bar member 102. The one side of the spring 105 issufficiently compressible to permit the sliding movement and to hold thelatching lug 108 in the slot 109. Finger 100 is turned down out of theway and moved to the position in FIG. 7 so as to engage the latching lug108 in the slot 109 and hold the finger 100 in inoperative position inorder to clear way for advancement through the mechanism of a fillerflat which does not require any closing operation. With the hold downs75, 75' engaging the tray, the mechanical holding of the lifting fingerin the up position by interengagement of cam members 106 and 107 insuresthat the lid or cover C will break on the hinge line and swing upwardly,as shown in FIG. 3, where it is ready to be turned over into closingposition. i

A lid turnover device in the form of two angle shaped rod members 112and 112'..depend from a cross rod 113 and have their inwardly bent ends114, 114 in the path of the advancing cover member C when it is liftedby the finger 100 as shown in FIG. 3. The cross rod supporting thefingers 112 and 112 extends between the vertically disposed supportplates 81 and 81' which extend upwardly of the top flanges 28 and 28which extend upwardly of the top flanges 28 and 28 on the side frameplates 17 and 17'. A radial arm 116 (FIG. 4) on the one end of the rod113 has one end of a spring 117 attached to its free end with the otherend of the spring anchored to the plate 81 so as to urge the lid orcover fold down arms 112 and 112' in the direction of the cover memberC. As a carton advances beyond the position shown in FIG. 3 the cover orlid member C is turned over onto the top of the tray T by the arms 112and 112 and the carton is advanced beneath a roller assembly 118.

The roller assembly 118 comprises a supporting frame in the form of sidearn s 120 and 120 which are pivoted at 121 and 121 to the upstandingsupport plates 81 and 81' and connected at the opposite ends by a crossrod 122. Each of the frame side arms 120 7 and 120' carries a series oflongitudinally spaced. relatively short roller support rods 123 whichextend inwardly of the arms 120 and 120' and each has mounted on thefree inner end a skate roller 124. The skate rollers 124 are rubbercoated or provided with tires of rubber or similar material. They are inlaterally spaced.

paired arrangement so as to press on the top of a closed cartonadvancing beyond the lid closing station. The pivot or hinge points 121,121' are spaced vertically so that the frame will slant downwardly inthe direction of the discharge end of the machine, as shown in FIGS. 1,3 and 4, and apply progressively increasing pressure on the carton lidas it advances. A pair of posts 125, 125' upstanding from the plateflanges 28, 28' provide stops for limiting the downward swing of theroller frame. A cross connecting rod 122 (FIGS. 2 and 5) extends betweenthe side frame members 121, 121' and carries two axially spaced pressurerollers 126. The one side frame member 120 is shortened to make room fora date stamp mechanism 127. The end of the roller frame is disposed overa dead plate area 128 at the discharge end of the conveyor belts 22, 22'where the advance of the closed carton is stopped temporarily for theapplication of a date stamp. The discharge ends of the conveyor belts22, 22' extend beyond the ends of the conveyor chains 22, 23 and advancethe carton as the movement of the chains 23, 23 around end sprockets 35,drops drops the platform assembly and withdraws the latch panel bendingmechanism 48 allowing the cover of lid C to close and latch completelyunder the pressure applied by rollers 124. In the dead plate area 128the lid is held closed by the pair of rollers 126 on the shaft 122 andalso an endmost roller 124' on the frame side member which is disposedbeyond the cross shaft 122 as shown in FIG. 2 at the free end of theside frame member 120. The dead plate area extends between the dischargeends of the conveyor belts 22, 22' and the entrance ends of the takeawaybelt conveyor members 130, (FIGS. 2 and 3). Each successive closedcarton remains stationary on the dead plate area 128 until it isadvanced onto the belt members 130, 130' by pressure of the nextsucceeding closed carton.

The shaft 28 carrying the end pulleys or rollers 25, 25' for belts 22,22 has an extended end on which there is a sprocket 131 (FIG. 4)connected by chain 132 with a sprocket 133 on the chain shaft 36, thetooth ratio being such that the belt members 22, 22 are advanced at afaster rate than the chains 23, 23' so as to insure that the cartonswill be fully seated initially and held on the platform assemblies 40 asthey are advanced along the path of the top runs of the chains. Thebelts 22, 22 are of a material which slides beneath the cartons when thecarton advance is at a slower rate, that is, when the advance of thecarton is controlled by the slower movement of the chains but willoperate to advance the cartons at a more rapid rate when they reach thedischarge ends of the chains so as to deposit the successive cartons inthe dead plate area.

The discharge or take-away conveyor belts 130, 130' are carried onpulleys 134, 134 (FIGS. 2 and 3) axially spaced on a cross shaft 135which is extended at one end to receive sprocket 136 (FIG. 4). Thesprocket 136 is connected by chain 137 with a sprocket 138 on a crossshaft 140 of the packer 12. The cross shaft 140 is driven by a chain andsprocket drive 142 from the motor 143 on the packer 14.

The date stamp mechanism 127 (FIGS. 1, 5 and 6) comprises a die holder144 on the bottom end of a vertically disposed support rod 145 which isclamped for adjustment in a vertical direction on the end of ahorizontal bracket rod 146 which extends from a collar 147 mounted on avertical post 148. A compression spring 150 surrounds the post 148. Acompression spring 150 surrounds the post 148 and a vertically extendingtubular member 152 which is mounted in upstanding relation on the flange28 of the side frame plate 17. The post 148 is of a length to extendthrough an aperture (not shown) in the flange 28 with its lower endcarrying a linkage connector 153 (FIGS. 1 and 6) with a pin 154 slidablein a slot 155 in the end of a link bar 156 which has its other endpivotally connected at 157 to the end of one arm 158 of a bell crankmember which is pivotally mounted at 160 on the side frame plate 17. Theother arm of the crank member is in the form of an adjustable rod 162having its free end pivotally connected at 163 intermediate the ends ofa vertically disposed bar member 164. The lower end of the bar member164 is pivotally mounted at 165 on the side frame plate 17. The barmember 164 is positioned so as to be oscillated by a cam roller 166 onthe end of a radial arm 167 which is mounted on the extended end of thechain cross shaft 36. Oscillation of the bar member 164 raises andlowers the date stamp die holder 144 in timed relation to the movementof the carton carrying conveyor chain mechanism.

Details of the operation of the machine will be understood from theforegoing description. The filled cartons in open condition are advancedfrom the packer 12 in succession and received on the successive platformassembly 40 as the conveyor chains 23, 23 are indexed with the indexingof the carton conveyor chain 27 on the packer. The clamping mechanisms75, 75 operate to restrain ghe successive cartons against upwardmovement while the cover or lid hinge is broken and the carton isadvanced to hinge the lid toward closed position by the finger 100 andthe overhead rod members 114, 114'. The pressure exerted by the weightof the roller assembly 118 closes the cover as the carton leaves theplatform assembly 40 and the latching flap manipulating mechanism iswithdrawn. The closed carton is discharged onto the dead plate area 128where the date stamp assembly 127 is operated to stamp the date on thecover. The next carton delivered to the dead plate area 128 moves thepreceding carton onto the discharge or takeaway conveyor belts 130,130'. The mechanism is adjusted to pass through filler flats by removingthe angle plates 40 and depressing the lid lifting finger 100 to theinoperative position and latching the same as previously described.

A modified pressure roller assembly 218 is shown in FIG. 10 where thepressure applying skate rol ers employed in the form of the machineshown in FIGS. 1 to 6 and 8 are replaced by rollers 224 which are longerso as to extend substantially across the top of the lid on the carton A,portions of the latter being shown in phantom line. The rollers 224, asillustrated, extend between the side arms 220 of the mounting framewhich are pivoted at 221 to the upstanding side plates 181 in the samemanner as in the corresponding frame for the roller assembly which isshown in FIGS. 2 and 3. The rollers 224 comprise supporting cross shafts224' which are journaled in the side arms 220 of the mounting frame andwhich are of relatively small cross sectional diameter, with a rollerbody 224" of sponge-like material, such as, sponge rubber, or similarrelatively soft resilient material which is of substantially greaterdiameter than the corresponding dimension of the supporting shafts 224.The rollers 224, which may be spaced as desired in the directionlengthwise of the machine, are adapted to apply pressure to the lid inthe central areas, as well as at its ends, so as to better insurelatching engagement of the locking lugs in the central areas while atthe same time providing for less concentration of pressure, therebyreducing the likelihood of breakage when closing cartons packed withextra large eggs and achieving greater efficiency in effecting completeclosure of the latter.

I claim:

1. An apparatus for closing and latching the hinged cover member oncartons of the type which have a product receiving bottom tray with atray-like cover hinged along one side edge and a relatively narrow panelhinged along the opposite side edge with one or more latching lugs forengagement in co-operating latching openings in the side wall adjacentthe free edge of the hinged cover member, conveyor means for advancingsuccessive cartons along a generally horizontal path with the covermember leading the bottom tray member, means for clamping the bottomtray on the conveyor means, means for swinging the latching lug panelinwardly of the trailing side wall of the bottom tray member, means forengaging the cover member so to cause said cover member to swing on anaxis extending transversely of the path of advance toward a closedposition, and means for progressively pressing down on the cover memberas it is advanced by said conveyor means so as to completely close thecover member and position the side wall for engagement therein oflatching lugs in the latching lug panel.

2. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said conveyor meanscomprises a pair of laterally spaced, endless traveling members withcarton supporting platforms extending between the same.

3. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said conveyor meanscomprises a pair of endless traveling members which are spacedtransversely of the path of advance with longitudinally spacedcartonsupporting means extending between the same.

4. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said conveyor meanscomprises an endless traveling member with carton support means thereonand with the traveling member having a top run defining said horizontalpath.

5. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said conveyor meanscomprises an endless traveling member with carton support means thereonand with the traveling member having a top run defining said horizontalpath and a pair of endless traveling side conveyor members each having atop run on which an end portion of each carton will rest when on saidcarton support means, and means for driving said side mem' bers at afaster rate than the travel of said support means so as to frictionallyurge the cartons in the direction of advance and hold the cartons inpredetermined position on their support means as they are advanced.

6. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said means for engagingsaid cover member so as to cause said cover member to swing on atransverse axis comprises an elongate rod member normally disposed at anupwardly inclined angle in the path of advance of the carton covermember.

7. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said means for engagingsaid cover member so as to cause said cover member to swing on atransverse axis comprises an elongate rod member pivotally mounted atone end on a cross bar extending beneath said horizontal path andnormally disposed in an upwardly inclined position so as to extend intothe path of the carton.

8. An apparatus as set forth in claim 7 wherein said rod member ismounted so as to permit movement to an inoperative position out of thepath of advance of the cartons with means for frictionally holding saidrod member in said inoperative position.

9. An apparatus as set forth in claim 7 wherein said rod member has anassociated cam arm thereon and said carton conveyor means has aco-operating cam arm arranged to engage the cam arm on said rod memberso as to hold said arm in the upwardly slanted operative position for apredetermined time during advance of said carton by said conveyor means.

10. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said means for swingingsaid latching lug panel inwardly-of the trailing side wall of the bottomtray member comprises a panel engaging mechanism mounted on saidconveyor means so as to engage beneath each latching lug panel as eachsuccessive carton is received on said conveyor means and having panelengaging fingers mounted for swinging movement in the direction ofadvance of the carton.

11. An apparatus as set forth in claim 10 wherein said panel engagingfingers are mounted on a cross shaft with cam means for turning saidshaft and including a cam operating track member extending along saidpath for holding said panel engaging fingers in panel engag' ingposition while each carton is advanced along said path.

12. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said means for clampingsaid bottom tray on said conveyor comprises a clamp mechanism mounted ateach side of the path of said conveyor means with a tray engaging clamparm mounted for swinging movement into and out of engagement withthe'tray member of each successive carton so as to restrain said traymember against movement upwardly of said tray member.

13. An apparatus as set forth in claim 12 wherein said clamp arm of eachsaid clamp mechanism is mounted on a longitudinally extending shaft andmeans for oscillating said shaft in timed relation to the movement ofsaid conveyor means.

14. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said means for engagingthe cover member so as tro cause said cover member to swing toward aclosed position comprises an elongate rod member normally inclinedupwardly in the path of advance of the cover member so as to cause saidcover member to swing in an upward direction and also an overhead memberwith a portion depending into the path of said cover member when it isswung upwardly by said elongate rod member which is operative to furtherswing said cover member toward a fully closed position. v

15. An apparatus for closing and marking the hinged cover members oncartons of the type which have a bottom tray and a tray-like coverhinged along one side edge thereof, traveling conveyor means foradvancing successive cartons along a generally horizontal path with thecover member in open position and leading the bottom tray member, clampmeans disposed at a prede termined position along said path which isoperative to engage the bottom tray member and restrain upward movementthereof relative to said traveling conveyor means, means at apredetermined position along said path which is operative from belowsaid path of ad vance for lifting said cover member so as to swing itupwardly about said hinged side edge, means disposed above said covermember which is operative in the path of advance of the cover member toengage a leading edge of the cover member so as to force the covermember to swing in a direction towards a closed position on said bottomtray member when the carton is advanced thereto by said conveyor means,means for progressively pressing down on the cover member as the cartonis advanced by said conveyor means to a dead plate area so as tocompletely close the cover member and to hold the cover member in closedposition while in said dead plate area, a marking stamp mounting meanssupported for vertical reciprocation at said dead plate area, and nteansfor reciprocating said marking stamp mounting means in timed relation tothe operation of said carton conveyor means so as to mark eachsuccessive carton cover.

16. An apparatus for closing the hinged cover members on cartons of thetype which have a bottom tray and a cover hinged along one side edge,conveyor means for advancing successive cartons in fully open conditionalong a generally horizontal path with the hinge axis of the cartonextending transversely of the path of advance and with the cover memberleading the bottom tray member, means at a predetermined point alongsaid path for engaging the bottom tray of successive; cartons so as torestrain the tray against upward movement relative to the conveyormeans, means disposed in part below the path of advance of the conveyormeans which is operative to engage said cover member so as to cause saidcover member to swing on said transversely extending hinge axis toward apartially closed position, and means for progressively applying downwardpressure on said cover member as it is advanced by said conveyor meansso as to completely close the cover member.

17. An apparatus as set forth in claim 16 wherein said means forapplying downward pressure on said cover member comprises a pivotallymounted overhead frame having pressure applying skate rollers mountedthereon so as to engage the top cover members of successive cartons asthey are advanced beyond the means for engaging and swinging the covermembers toward a closed position.

18. An apparatus as set forth in claim 16 wherein said means forapplying downward pressure on said cover member comprises a generallyrectangular frame with laterally spaced side frame members havingmounted thereon a plurality of skate rollers which are disposed to reston the cover members at their opposite ends.

19. An apparatus for closing the hinged Cover members on cartons of thetype which have a bottom tray and a cover hinged along one side edge,conveyor means for advancing successive cartons in fully open conditionalong a generally horizontal path with the cover member leading thebottom tray member, means for engaging the bottom tray of successivecartons so as to restrain the tray against upward movement relative tothe conveyor means, means disposed in the path of advance of theconveyor means for engaging a leading portion of said cover member so asto cause said cover member to swing on an axis extending transversely ofthe path of advance toward a partially closed position when advancedagainst said cover engaging means, and means for progressively applyingdownward pressure on said cover member as it is advanced by saidconveyor means so as to completely close the cover member, whichdownward pressure applying means comprises a plurality of pressurerollers mounted on a supporting frame extending above said conveyormeans with a trailing side of said frame pivoted at a point above thepath of the cartons and with a leading side free to drop sufficiently tobring the rollers into gravity pressure engagement with the topmost faceof said cover member.

20. An apparatus for closing the hinged cover members on cartons of thetype which have a bottom tray and a cover hinged along one side edge,conveyor means for advancing successive cartons in fully open conditionalong a generally horizontal path with the cover member leading thebottom tray member, means for engaging the bottom tray of successivecartons so as to restrain the tray against upward movement relative tothe conveyor means, means disposed in the path of advance of theconveyor means for engaging a leading portion of said cover member so asto cause said cover member to swing on an axis extending transversely ofthe path of advance toward apartially closed position when advancedagainst said cover engaging means, and means for progressively applyingdownward pressure on said cover member as it is advanced by said covermeans so as to completely close the cover member, which downwardpressure applying means comprises a supporting frame having a trailingend pivotally mounted above said conveyor means and a leading endextending beyond the discharge end of said conveying means, pressureapplying rollers mounted on said frame in laterally spaced and pairedarrangement for progressively engaging the topmost face of said covermember near the center thereof.

21. An apparatus for closing the hinged cover members on cartons of thetype which have a bottom tray and a cover hinged along one side edge,conveyor means for advancing successive cartons in fully open conditionalong a generally horizontal path with the cover member leading thebottom tray member, means for engaging the bottom tray of successivecartons so as to restrain the tray against upward movement relative tothe conveyor means, means disposed in the path of advance of theconveyor means for engaging a leading portion of said cover member so asto cause said cover member to swing on an axis extending transversely ofthe path of advance toward a partially closed position when advancedagainst said cover engaging means, and means for progressively applyingdownward pressure on said cover member as it is advanced by saidconveyor means so as to completely close the cover member, whichdownward pressure applying means comprises a pivotally mounted overheadframe having pressure applying rollers of relatively resilient materialmounted thereon which extend transversely of said frame so as to engagethe top cover members and apply resilient pressure across the topsurfaces thereof as they are advanced beyond the means for engaging andswinging the cover members toward a closed position thereby pressing thecover members into fully closed position.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION PATENT NO.3,884,015

Q DATED May 20, 1975 tNvE'NTom) 1 KENNETH w. MELTON it is certified thaterror appears in the above-identified patent and that said LettersPatent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Line 5 of the Abstract, "tranverse" should be transverse Column 3, line21, "elevation should be elevational Column 4, line 64, "bushing" shouldbe bushings Column 5, line 43, before "85, 85" insert at Column 6, line27, "feee" should be free a Column 6, lines 51 and 52, cancel "whichextend upwardly of the top flanges 28 and 28" Column 7, line 26, "22"should be 23 line 28, cancel the second occurrence of "drops" Column 8,lines 6 and 7, cancel "A compression spring 150 surrounds the post 148."

line 37, change "ghe" to the Column 10, line 52, change "tro" to toSigned and Bealcd this '[SEAL] ninth 3) f December 1975 Arrest:

RUTH C. MASON Arresting fficer MARSHALLDANN Commissioner oj'latenrs andTrademarks

1. An apparatus for closing and latching the hinged cover member oncartons of the type which have a product receiving bottom tray with atray-like cover hinged along one side edge and a relatively narrow panelhinged along the opposite side edge with one or more latching lugs forengagement in co-operating latching openings in the side wall adjacentthe free edge of the hinged cover member, conveyor means for advancingsuccessive cartons along a generally horizontal path with the covermember leading the bottom tray member, means for clamping the bottomtray on the conveyor means, means for swinging the latching lug panelinwardly of the trailing side wall of the bottom tray member, means forengaging the cover member so as to cause said cover member to swing onan axis extending transversely of the path of advance toward a closedposition, and means for progressively pressing down on the cover memberas it is advanced by said conveyor means so as to completely close thecover member and position the side wall for engagement therein oflAtching lugs in the latching lug panel.
 2. An apparatus as set forth inclaim 1 wherein said conveyor means comprises a pair of laterallyspaced, endless traveling members with carton supporting platformsextending between the same.
 3. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1wherein said conveyor means comprises a pair of endless travelingmembers which are spaced transversely of the path of advance withlongitudinally spaced carton supporting means extending between thesame.
 4. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said conveyormeans comprises an endless traveling member with carton support meansthereon and with the traveling member having a top run defining saidhorizontal path.
 5. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein saidconveyor means comprises an endless traveling member with carton supportmeans thereon and with the traveling member having a top run definingsaid horizontal path and a pair of endless traveling side conveyormembers each having a top run on which an end portion of each cartonwill rest when on said carton support means, and means for driving saidside members at a faster rate than the travel of said support means soas to frictionally urge the cartons in the direction of advance and holdthe cartons in predetermined position on their support means as they areadvanced.
 6. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said means forengaging said cover member so as to cause said cover member to swing ona transverse axis comprises an elongate rod member normally disposed atan upwardly inclined angle in the path of advance of the carton covermember.
 7. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said means forengaging said cover member so as to cause said cover member to swing ona transverse axis comprises an elongate rod member pivotally mounted atone end on a cross bar extending beneath said horizontal path andnormally disposed in an upwardly inclined position so as to extend intothe path of the carton.
 8. An apparatus as set forth in claim 7 whereinsaid rod member is mounted so as to permit movement to an inoperativeposition out of the path of advance of the cartons with means forfrictionally holding said rod member in said inoperative position.
 9. Anapparatus as set forth in claim 7 wherein said rod member has anassociated cam arm thereon and said carton conveyor means has aco-operating cam arm arranged to engage the cam arm on said rod memberso as to hold said arm in the upwardly slanted operative position for apredetermined time during advance of said carton by said conveyor means.10. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said means for swingingsaid latching lug panel inwardly of the trailing side wall of the bottomtray member comprises a panel engaging mechanism mounted on saidconveyor means so as to engage beneath each latching lug panel as eachsuccessive carton is received on said conveyor means and having panelengaging fingers mounted for swinging movement in the direction ofadvance of the carton.
 11. An apparatus as set forth in claim 10 whereinsaid panel engaging fingers are mounted on a cross shaft with cam meansfor turning said shaft and including a cam operating track memberextending along said path for holding said panel engaging fingers inpanel engaging position while each carton is advanced along said path.12. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said means for clampingsaid bottom tray on said conveyor comprises a clamp mechanism mounted ateach side of the path of said conveyor means with a tray engaging clamparm mounted for swinging movement into and out of engagement with thetray member of each successive carton so as to restrain said tray memberagainst movement upwardly of said tray member.
 13. An apparatus as setforth in claim 12 wherein said clamp arm of each said clamp mechanism ismounted on a longitudinally extending shaft and means for oscillatingsaid shaft in timed relation to the movement of said conveyor means. 14.An apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said means for engaging thecover member so as tro cause said cover member to swing toward a closedposition comprises an elongate rod member normally inclined upwardly inthe path of advance of the cover member so as to cause said cover memberto swing in an upward direction and also an overhead member with aportion depending into the path of said cover member when it is swungupwardly by said elongate rod member which is operative to further swingsaid cover member toward a fully closed position.
 15. An apparatus forclosing and marking the hinged cover members on cartons of the typewhich have a bottom tray and a tray-like cover hinged along one sideedge thereof, traveling conveyor means for advancing successive cartonsalong a generally horizontal path with the cover member in open positionand leading the bottom tray member, clamp means disposed at apredetermined position along said path which is operative to engage thebottom tray member and restrain upward movement thereof relative to saidtraveling conveyor means, means at a predetermined position along saidpath which is operative from below said path of advance for lifting saidcover member so as to swing it upwardly about said hinged side edge,means disposed above said cover member which is operative in the path ofadvance of the cover member to engage a leading edge of the cover memberso as to force the cover member to swing in a direction towards a closedposition on said bottom tray member when the carton is advanced theretoby said conveyor means, means for progressively pressing down on thecover member as the carton is advanced by said conveyor means to a deadplate area so as to completely close the cover member and to hold thecover member in closed position while in said dead plate area, a markingstamp mounting means supported for vertical reciprocation at said deadplate area, and means for reciprocating said marking stamp mountingmeans in timed relation to the operation of said carton conveyor meansso as to mark each successive carton cover.
 16. An apparatus for closingthe hinged cover members on cartons of the type which have a bottom trayand a cover hinged along one side edge, conveyor means for advancingsuccessive cartons in fully open condition along a generally horizontalpath with the hinge axis of the carton extending transversely of thepath of advance and with the cover member leading the bottom traymember, means at a predetermined point along said path for engaging thebottom tray of successive cartons so as to restrain the tray againstupward movement relative to the conveyor means, means disposed in partbelow the path of advance of the conveyor means which is operative toengage said cover member so as to cause said cover member to swing onsaid transversely extending hinge axis toward a partially closedposition, and means for progressively applying downward pressure on saidcover member as it is advanced by said conveyor means so as tocompletely close the cover member.
 17. An apparatus as set forth inclaim 16 wherein said means for applying downward pressure on said covermember comprises a pivotally mounted overhead frame having pressureapplying skate rollers mounted thereon so as to engage the top covermembers of successive cartons as they are advanced beyond the means forengaging and swinging the cover members toward a closed position.
 18. Anapparatus as set forth in claim 16 wherein said means for applyingdownward pressure on said cover member comprises a generally rectangularframe with laterally spaced side frame members having mounted thereon aplurality of skate rollers which are disposed to rest on the covermembers at their opposite ends.
 19. An apparatus for closing the hingedcover members on cartons of the type which have a bottom tray and acover hinged along one side edge, conveyor means for advancingsuccessive cartons in fully open condition along a generally horizontalpath with tHe cover member leading the bottom tray member, means forengaging the bottom tray of successive cartons so as to restrain thetray against upward movement relative to the conveyor means, meansdisposed in the path of advance of the conveyor means for engaging aleading portion of said cover member so as to cause said cover member toswing on an axis extending transversely of the path of advance toward apartially closed position when advanced against said cover engagingmeans, and means for progressively applying downward pressure on saidcover member as it is advanced by said conveyor means so as tocompletely close the cover member, which downward pressure applyingmeans comprises a plurality of pressure rollers mounted on a supportingframe extending above said conveyor means with a trailing side of saidframe pivoted at a point above the path of the cartons and with aleading side free to drop sufficiently to bring the rollers into gravitypressure engagement with the topmost face of said cover member.
 20. Anapparatus for closing the hinged cover members on cartons of the typewhich have a bottom tray and a cover hinged along one side edge,conveyor means for advancing successive cartons in fully open conditionalong a generally horizontal path with the cover member leading thebottom tray member, means for engaging the bottom tray of successivecartons so as to restrain the tray against upward movement relative tothe conveyor means, means disposed in the path of advance of theconveyor means for engaging a leading portion of said cover member so asto cause said cover member to swing on an axis extending transversely ofthe path of advance toward a partially closed position when advancedagainst said cover engaging means, and means for progressively applyingdownward pressure on said cover member as it is advanced by said covermeans so as to completely close the cover member, which downwardpressure applying means comprises a supporting frame having a trailingend pivotally mounted above said conveyor means and a leading endextending beyond the discharge end of said conveying means, pressureapplying rollers mounted on said frame in laterally spaced and pairedarrangement for progressively engaging the topmost face of said covermember near the center thereof.
 21. An apparatus for closing the hingedcover members on cartons of the type which have a bottom tray and acover hinged along one side edge, conveyor means for advancingsuccessive cartons in fully open condition along a generally horizontalpath with the cover member leading the bottom tray member, means forengaging the bottom tray of successive cartons so as to restrain thetray against upward movement relative to the conveyor means, meansdisposed in the path of advance of the conveyor means for engaging aleading portion of said cover member so as to cause said cover member toswing on an axis extending transversely of the path of advance toward apartially closed position when advanced against said cover engagingmeans, and means for progressively applying downward pressure on saidcover member as it is advanced by said conveyor means so as tocompletely close the cover member, which downward pressure applyingmeans comprises a pivotally mounted overhead frame having pressureapplying rollers of relatively resilient material mounted thereon whichextend transversely of said frame so as to engage the top cover membersand apply resilient pressure across the top surfaces thereof as they areadvanced beyond the means for engaging and swinging the cover memberstoward a closed position thereby pressing the cover members into fullyclosed position.